Congress could begin the process of Social Security reform this year by passing legislation to guarantee the Social Security benefits of retirees and to provide more information to workers and analysts about the current program and the options for reform. Taking such steps would help to prepare Americans for a more informed debate on the future of Social Security, and it would make it easier to develop a national consensus on real reform. Moreover, these steps would cost very little, both politically and financially.
Amending the CARE Act in certain ways would advance the President'scommitment to promote what he calls the "armies of compassion" tocombat family and social breakdown. By emphasizing tax incentivesto boost charitable giving, the bill would properly focus attentionon the role of private philanthropy in addressing social ills.
Neither Congress nor President Bush's commission should waste timearguing the wrong Social Security debate. Talking about trust fundswill neither save Social Security nor raise anyone's retirementstandard of living.
The U.S.-Mexico Social Security totalization agreement that is nowbeing negotiated provides an opportunity to boost sagging relationsand benefit both countries without enacting complicated andpremature immigration reforms.
Proposed changes in the SSA's "Your Social Security Statement"would give Americans user-friendly access to information previouslyhidden in highly technical publications of the SSA, Office ofManagement and Budget, and U.S. General Accounting Office.